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Project Management Jobs in Park Ridge, IL (NOW HIRING)

A successful candidate willbring strong project management experience, technical engineering acumen, and ability to navigate ambiguity in a fast-pacedenvironment. This role reports to the Senior ...

PMO Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$86K - $123K/yr

Summary As a PMO Lead at Gainwell, you can contribute your skills as we harness the power of technology to help our clients improve the health and well-being of the members they serve - a community ...

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Project Management information

See Park Ridge, IL salary details

$37.9K

$101K

$159.4K

How much do project management jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for project management in Park Ridge, IL is $101,039.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,200.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do you do in a project management job?

A project management job involves planning, organizing, and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed on time, within scope, and budget. Project managers coordinate teams, communicate with stakeholders, and use tools like Gantt charts and project management software to track progress and address issues throughout the project lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Project Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Manager, you need strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving abilities, generally supported by a bachelor's degree and relevant project management experience. Familiarity with project management software like Microsoft Project, Asana, or Jira, and certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2, are commonly required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and stakeholder management are vital soft skills that enable effective collaboration and conflict resolution. These skills ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and with satisfied stakeholders.

What is the difference between Project Management vs Business Analysis?

AspectProject ManagementBusiness Analysis
Primary FocusPlanning, executing, and closing projectsIdentifying business needs and solutions
CertificationsPMP, CAPMCBAP, CCBA
Work EnvironmentProject teams across industriesBusiness units, consulting
Industry UsageConstruction, IT, manufacturingIT, finance, healthcare

While project management focuses on delivering projects on time and within scope, business analysis centers on understanding business needs and defining solutions. Both roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions in project success and organizational improvement.

Do project managers need a degree?

While a bachelor's degree in fields like business, management, or related areas is common for project managers, it is not always mandatory. Many successful project managers gain experience through certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) and develop skills in leadership, organization, and communication. Employers often value practical experience and certifications alongside or instead of formal education.

What is project management?

Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and overseeing the completion of specific projects within an organization. It involves setting clear goals, allocating resources, managing budgets, and ensuring that project milestones are met on time and within scope. Project managers coordinate teams, handle risks, and communicate with stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery. Effective project management helps organizations achieve their objectives efficiently and with high quality results.

What Are Project Management Jobs?

Project management jobs are crucial to businesses completing projects in a timely and cost-effective manner. As a project management professional, your job duties include planning workflows and scheduling the checkpoints of a project, ensuring the project stays on budget and meets the deadline, documenting every aspect of a project, and handling the supervision of the team of employees working on a project. You must be an effective communicator to liaise with different departments and teams. You can find project management jobs in engineering, aerospace, consulting, pharmaceuticals, and in almost every major industry.

What are some common challenges faced by project managers when leading cross-functional teams, and how can they be addressed?

Project managers often encounter challenges like miscommunication, conflicting priorities, and varying work styles when coordinating cross-functional teams. To address these, it's important to establish clear communication channels, set well-defined goals, and foster a collaborative environment. Regular check-ins and transparent progress updates help align team members and ensure accountability. Additionally, understanding each department's unique perspective enables the project manager to anticipate and resolve conflicts proactively.

Can I be an entry level project manager?

Entry-level project management roles typically require some relevant skills such as organization, communication, and basic understanding of project management tools like MS Project or Trello. While formal experience is often limited, obtaining certifications like CAPM or PMP can improve chances, and some companies may hire candidates with limited experience if they demonstrate strong potential and foundational knowledge.

Is PM a stressful job?

Project management can be stressful due to tight deadlines, budget constraints, and coordinating multiple stakeholders. Successful project managers often develop strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to handle these pressures effectively.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Management jobs in Park Ridge, IL? The most popular types of Project Management jobs in Park Ridge, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Project Management jobs in Park Ridge, IL? For Project Management jobs in Park Ridge, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Project Management jobs in Park Ridge, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Project Management jobs in Park Ridge, IL are:
What cities near Park Ridge, IL are hiring for Project Management jobs? Cities near Park Ridge, IL with the most Project Management job openings:
Infographic showing various Project Management job openings in Park Ridge, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,039 per year, or $48.6 per hour.
Director of Project Management

Director of Project Management

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • On-site

$14/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Northwestern University rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

113th of 544 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department: Facilities Mgmt EV
Salary/Grade: EXS/14
Job Summary:
The Director of Project Management will manage multiple related teams of managers and professionals responsible for the capital projects delivery process, from the design phase through commissioning and close-out. Provides day to day business operational oversight of financial, budget, contracting and scheduling for all capital projects. Is responsible for managing the design and construction of physical assets and bringing them online in the most efficient and economical manner.
Specific Responsibilities:
  • Manages project management staff throughout the life cycle of the project.
  • Assists project managers by defining program, budgets, schedule, negotiating contracts, securing building permits, delivery of materials and equipment and ensuring that projects run on time and within budget.
  • Evaluates capital project request for feasibility, and prepares preliminary budget, cash flow, schedule, and project delivery recommendations
  • Liaison to the Building Departments of Chicago/Evanston, and other related agencies.
  • Serves as Facilities representative to one or more schools or major units (such as The Pritzker Law School, Feinberg Medical School, and Kellog)
  • Develops staff to improve technical and managerial skills, identify, and correct areas of program execution weakness through training and mentoring.
  • Provides oversight of project budgets, master schedules, and coordinates value engineering exercises with supported customers to maintain both program and budget.
  • Develops and provides timely quantitative and qualitative information to support decision making as well as broad awareness of construction projects, including schedule, budget, board materials, and routine management metrics.
  • Accountable for RFP process and award of design and construction professionals.
  • Manages relationships with architects and constructors to ensure that
  • Northwestern's interests are best served, and goals are achieved.
  • Responsible for reporting up to senior director capital programs ensuring projects are managed appropriately, completed within budget and on schedule through adherence of defined processes and procedures.
  • Ensures Northwestern business diversity goals for construction projects are met.
Miscellaneous
Performed other duties
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)
  • Bachelor's Degree in engineering, architecture, or construction management plus ten (10) years of relevant experience in professional practice or related job discipline.
  • Detailed understanding of building systems, construction practices, contracting procedures and building design methodologies.
  • Experience in design and construction administration, technical development, contract preparation, and financial administration.
  • Strong supervision and management skills.
  • Experience in managing direct reports.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
  • Proven track record of successful management of capital construction projects.
  • Expertise in urban/vertical construction.
  • Thorough knowledge of current building codes and standards.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work in a team environment, build coalitions, and communicate effectively with diverse students, faculty, and staff population.
  • Proven analytical, communication, and organization skills as well as an ability to self-motivate, multitask, and work in a fast paced environment under deadlines.
  • Must be detail orientated, while maintaining big picture vision of the project.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
  • Professional Registration in Architecture or Engineering. Masters Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or Business
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
  • Experience in higher education design and construction.
  • Experience in managing business functions.
Target hiring range for this position will be between $170,000-$198,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data
Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .
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